The repair of direct composite restorations: an international survey of the teaching of operative techniques and materials

TLDR

The study investigates how dental schools in the UK, Ireland, Germany, and Scandinavia teach repair of failing direct composite restorations as a conservative alternative to replacement. Data were gathered through a questionnaire distributed to 58 dental schools across the surveyed countries. The survey found that 59 % of schools teach repair, yet teaching approaches, expected longevity, and future inclusion plans vary widely across and within countries.

Abstract

This article reports the findings of a study on the aspects of the teaching of repair as a conservative alternative to the replacement of failing direct composite restorations (DCRs) in primary dental degree curricula in the UK and Ireland, Germany and Scandinavia. Data on teaching, including operative techniques applied in the repair of DCRs, were collected by means of a questionnaire sent to 58 dental schools in the surveyed countries. Based on the overall response rate of 83%, the findings indicate that the majority (59%) of the schools in the countries surveyed may be found to teach the repair of DCRs. However, marked variations were observed in respect of this teaching and the expected longevity of repaired DCRs. Where the repair of DCRs was not taught, views differed as to the intentions, if any, to include this teaching in the curriculum. It is concluded that the teaching of DCRs may be found to be widespread in dental schools in the UK and Ireland, Germany and Scandinavia, with this teaching being subjected to considerable variation within and between countries.